[X] My Assistant

[James McMurray]

I thought that too, until I owned one. I'm not saying it's a necessity, but it's definitely made my life vastly easier.

Granted, if I was paying for my phone I'd have gone a much cheaper route. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

I thought that too, until I owned one. I'm not saying it's a necessity, but it's definitely made my life vastly easier.

Granted, if I was paying for my phone I'd have gone a much cheaper route. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Easier in what way, though. I just do not think that anyone should be able to reach me, 24/7/365. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Bigity]

As of SR4, Smartlinks are no different from each other in the Bonuses department (All are +2). Non-DNI solutions still suffer by not having the capabilities of the Free Actions that the Smartlink grants. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Bah I always thought it was a nice little bonus to the wired. Oh well there are always house rules.

[LurkerOutThere]

Do you know that pseudo-slurs (like "Magicrun") make people less likely to pay attention to any valid points you might have?

Possibly, but more and more this is how I feel. Shadowrun has always favored the magic side of the house 4th edition just finally pushed it over that limit so I'm not going to censor myself to try and earn debate points, because what I think obviously doesn't matter. Cyber is now passe, wires that need to pass information through your hair and skull are the equal of their implanted equivalent, non ware gives the exact same bonuses as ware, defeating technical sensors with magic is just a matter of increasing the drain value, no dragon has ever been definatively killed by military force even when they go all Gojira style in downtown Denver. One of the best builds you can get right now for a hacker is a physical adept, cyberware is hackable, computers speficly military targeting computers can be magicly hacked etc etc.

It's weird because I recognized it's a game but every time I sit down and think about this particular aspect of SR and it's evolution I can't help but feel that somethign intrinsic to the game has become flawed, and that makes me legitimately sad, so therefore Magicrun.

[Sengir]

Unless you do not care about the Free action cacpabilities gained from the Smartlink. Not everyone does, you know... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Just that the vision enhancement does not bestow any free actions, it just provides the +2 aiming bonus displays a lot of status data (go ahead, read the description). In order to command a device to do something with a free action, you need some sort of input device - like an implanted smartlink (implants can be controlled via DNI), AR gloves, or a sim module.

[James McMurray]

Easier in what way, though. I just do not think that anyone should be able to reach me, 24/7/365. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

I don't think they should be able to either. Luckily smartphones (and all cell phones for that matter) have this fancy new doodad called volume control. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Easier in that if I want to know something, I reach into my pocket and ask google. If I need to remember something (I have a horrible memory for times, dates, appointments, etc.) I reach into my pocket and put it into my calendar. If I think of something I want to tell my wife, but that isn't important enough to stick in the forefront of my mind until I see her again, I reach into my pocket and shoot her a text. If I'm bored but can't go somewhere (like stuck on a bus or in a line) I reach into my pocket and find a free game to play, surf these boards, or browse sciencedaily.com depending on how mentally active I feel that moment. My A/C in my car doesn't work so my windows are always down, which makes listening to the radio on my 45 minute drive to work an impossibility so I reach into my pocket, put on some headphones, and listen to audiobooks instead.

It's by no means a necessity, but it's a luxury that's very easy to get used to.

Back to the commlinks though, they're even more integral to life in 2072. They're all of the above and also how you buy a soda or a sweatshirt since a lot of places don't take certified cred anymore (and you're probably not going to be paid on a stick unless it's under the table). Their DNI connection is probably better entertainment than the trideo set you've got at home. If The Shallows is even close to right, another 60 years of constant internet connectivity has probably destroyed the average person's memory and attention span.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Just that the vision enhancement does not bestow any free actions, it just provides the +2 aiming bonus displays a lot of status data (go ahead, read the description). In order to command a device to do something with a free action, you need some sort of input device - like an implanted smartlink (implants can be controlled via DNI), AR gloves, or a sim module.

Yes, I know... And Commanding the device is not always desireable, or possible (As the example I provided shows). Using a Free action on something that cannot support that Free Action is kind of pointless, don't you think?

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

I don't think they should be able to either. Luckily smartphones (and all cell phones for that matter) have this fancy new doodad called volume control. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Easier in that if I want to know something, I reach into my pocket and ask google. If I need to remember something (I have a horrible memory for times, dates, appointments, etc.) I reach into my pocket and put it into my calendar. If I think of something I want to tell my wife, but that isn't important enough to stick in the forefront of my mind until I see her again, I reach into my pocket and shoot her a text. If I'm bored but can't go somewhere (like stuck on a bus or in a line) I reach into my pocket and find a free game to play, surf these boards, or browse sciencedaily.com depending on how mentally active I feel that moment. My A/C in my car doesn't work so my windows are always down, which makes listening to the radio on my 45 minute drive to work an impossibility so I reach into my pocket, put on some headphones, and listen to audiobooks instead.

It's by no means a necessity, but it's a luxury that's very easy to get used to.

Back to the commlinks though, they're even more integral to life in 2072. They're all of the above and also how you buy a soda or a sweatshirt since a lot of places don't take certified cred anymore (and you're probably not going to be paid on a stick unless it's under the table). Their DNI connection is probably better entertainment than the trideo set you've got at home. If The Shallows is even close to right, another 60 years of constant internet connectivity has probably destroyed the average person's memory and attention span.

All very good points. And all very Understandable. And yet, I am still unconvinced... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

As for the Comlink in Shadowrun. I can agree completely.

[James McMurray]

All very good points. And all very Understandable. And yet, I am still unconvinced... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

That's ok. I wasn't trying to convince you, just answering your question. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

That's ok. I wasn't trying to convince you, just answering your question. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Heh... No Worries. I know a lot of people who swear by their electronic devices... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

[redwulf25]

Do smart goggles grant the same bonus as a smartlink now? I was sure they used to be less of a benefit compared to the full on implanted smartgun link. Still working my way current on SR4 rules.

Yep. Just like trodes cost less than a datajack and don't reduce your essence but have no drawbacks.

[redwulf25]

Easier in what way, though. I just do not think that anyone should be able to reach me, 24/7/365. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

That's why they come with an off button.

[CanRay]

If you can stand to have the damned things off...

Too many family emergencies have cropped up for me to ever turn mine off. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

[Bigity]

Yep. Just like trodes cost less than a datajack and don't reduce your essence but have no drawbacks.

Well to be fair, trodes always have done that in SR, even back in 1st edition.

I guess you could always say trodes are only good for cold sim VR or something.

[redwulf25]

Well to be fair, trodes always have done that in SR, even back in 1st edition.

I guess you could always say trodes are only good for cold sim VR or something.

In earlier editions I recall hacking through trodes having a small penalty.

[Bigity]

In earlier editions I recall hacking through trodes having a small penalty.

I can't recall but it's possible (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Fatum]

Go cite it and come back to me, I for my part, will go look for the thread i already found my citations in and save time. It's a mostly academic argument but it's one i'm rather proud of as i'm tired of people saying "dur hur skinlink and goggles" as a good way to obsolete cybereyes.

Uh, open any book printed before the Fourth Edition, like third edition core? There you go, smartlinks [x], decks [x], commlinks [ ], PANs [ ].

[suoq]

IIRC, trodes used to at least be obvious and not socially normal. Nanopaste Trodes removed all that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

[hyphz]

Ok, so I'm getting a bit of idea about what's going on, but from what it sounds like it's rather open-ended. As I mentioned I doubt anyone in the group would want to play a hacker so I'm figuring that hackers working against them should be more brief plot elements than tactically deployed units.

Are there any established solutions for dealing with the unbalance between equipment? I would think that if you're walking around with a body covered in wires then someone swinging a knife at you becomes a much bigger problem than it would otherwise..

[James McMurray]

That's where glitches and critical glitches come in. Maybe the guy running wireless glitches and falls prone. The guy running wired glitches and has his trodes' cable cut. Now his Tac-Net no longer helps, he can't talk to his teammates without shouting, and he has to pay some small pittance to get a new cable.

[Fatum]

Uh, actually, in the 70ies, you don't need wires any more. If you don't trust wireless (and there's no reason for you to) go skinlink.

Also, not having a hacker in a team is generally a bad idea. Have your team consider how they're dealing with cams and other security systems, data searches etc...

[hyphz]

Uh, actually, in the 70ies, you don't need wires any more. If you don't trust wireless (and there's no reason for you to) go skinlink.

Also, not having a hacker in a team is generally a bad idea. Have your team consider how they're dealing with cams and other security systems, data searches etc...

Eh, if nobody wants to play one I'd rather fudge the setting or give them a contact than force someone to. And if - as it seems - the apparent attempt in SR4 to make hacking an "alternate universe" in regular combat has failed, then the old decker probem comes straight back and I'd rather avoid it.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Eh, if nobody wants to play one I'd rather fudge the setting or give them a contact than force someone to. And if - as it seems - the apparent attempt in SR4 to make hacking an "alternate universe" in regular combat has failed, then the old decker probem comes straight back and I'd rather avoid it.

No need to force someone to play the Archtype if they don't want to. An NPC can work out just as well.

But I would contend that integration of the Matrix into regular combat ahs not failed; at least not at our table. It is quite smooth, and works out great. It does require those players with Hacker Characters, as well as the GM, to be very familiar with the Matrix rules, but once you have accomplished that, it flows very well. In my experience anyways. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[capt.pantsless]

Uh, actually, in the 70ies, you don't need wires any more. If you don't trust wireless (and there's no reason for you to) go skinlink.

Also, not having a hacker in a team is generally a bad idea. Have your team consider how they're dealing with cams and other security systems, data searches etc...

That said, it's not absolutely required. Depending on the group and tone, the game can get REALLY fun if forced into 'alternate' problem-solving strategies. Just make sure someone takes demolition, ifyouknowwhatImean....

[hyphz]

No need to force someone to play the Archtype if they don't want to. An NPC can work out just as well.

But I would contend that integration of the Matrix into regular combat ahs not failed; at least not at our table. It is quite smooth, and works out great. It does require those players with Hacker Characters, as well as the GM, to be very familiar with the Matrix rules, but once you have accomplished that, it flows very well. In my experience anyways. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I was only responding to the post above which said that Cyberware hacking was an attempt to involve hackers in regular combat and (according to that post) it apparently failed so bady it had to be retconned.

How does it work in your games?